The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-05

advantages Of reasonable discrinina.
ton in the matter Of long and short
hauls. Competitive rates were the
life OF his trade, without which he
could not survive.
LEONARD PARKS,
OF the Nashville wooden mills, was the
next witness. He stated that markets
for the product Of his mills were found
on the coast. UR,ess ths long and
short haul clause operated on coast or
river lines, Tennessee mills would
have to shut mp shop. They must
have competitive rates. They did not
have the same privilege of msnufsc.
turing in transit a. millers, for they
had never demanded 1t.
It's. WILLIAMS,
Of Nashville, stated he was a manu-
fscturer Of lumber and wooden ware
Their trade extended to almost every
State in the Union. The raw material
was secured near home. Since the Is.
of April his business had been serious
ly embarrassed by the enforcement OF
the long and short haul clause. This
only applied to the lines north Of the
Ohio river. He had no COMPLAIN
against lines entering Nashville in the
way Of rates, but at the came time
knew OF no discrimination against for
eign manufacturers.
GEORGE S. KINNEY,
wholesale liquor dealer at Nashville,
testified that his trade extended
throughout the South, into some OF the
Territories, and as far west as San
Francisco. TO attain this prosperous
state competitive railway rates were a
necessity. II the long and short haul
clauses were enforced it would de,
crease the volume of his bust
mess considerably. For the Memphis
trade there was strong competition
with st. Louis, both by rail and river,
There is a great deal Of whisky made
in Middle Tennessee, consuming q
large amount OF grain. This has in
jured no one, and we have been grant
ed no special privileges cave to put us
on an equal footing with foreign deal
ers." he closed his testimony with
an earnest appeal for lower rates and
the non-enforcement OF the long and
short haul clause.
FRANK LESTER,
a live stock dealer, was then called,
and enlightened the commission "a to
the advantage OF competitive rates.
Under a strict construction OF the
interstate commerce bill, his business
would go to the dogs. They must be
favored with rates which would place
tn EN- on an equality with water lines
o. H. HIGHT,
secretary Of the.Merchants' Exchange,
Nashville, was then introduced, aud
pulled from his inside coat pocket a
number of tabulated statements bear
ing on the business of his city. In
direct examination, he had never un-
derstood, through his relations with
business mes, Nashville had been
favored over any competing point.
J. b. BRIGGS,
OF Russellville, KY, q banker, miller
and tobacco shipper, was then called,
and also presented written protests
from the business men in his vicinity.
His country produced a large amount
of grain and had hitherto disposed OF
it with satisfactory RETURNS. This all
went to points outside Of Kentucky.
With an increase OF railway rates, this
situation would not continue. Com
petition at Mobile, Pensacola and
Southern coast points had entirely de.
stroyed his business there. This was
done through low rates for water
transportation. Railway rates from
Russellville, are open, and local COM
petitor enjoys the same transportation
arrangements as himself.
HE. M'LEMoRE,
OF Columbia, Tenn, a miller and
grain dealer was next called. He de-
fined the business Of Columbia as
being grain, cotton and lumber, all
carried on with points in the South.
They could not stand any advance of
railway rates to coast points unlees
water rates was also advanced. He
presented petitions from Lynnville
and Columbia, setting forth the senti-
ments of people in those towns rela-
tive to the matter under invest CATION.
wv. BosAMoE,
q resident of Gadsden, stated that he
was grower and shipper of fruits. To
promote the industry, railroads had
established advantageous rates. He
also handed in petition from parties
interested. II rigidly enforced, the
long and ehort haul clause would
drive them out of business. Tran
sactions were principally with larger
cities of the country, and they were,
of course, granted favorable rates. In
case OF overstocked maykets-Cbicsgo,
for instance--the railroads had in the
past given the shippers floating rate
to other points, where stock might be
disposed OF with profit.
W. R. CRAIG,
of Pulaski, Tenn, testified as to the
condition Of the grain and produce in
dustry in that vicinity. The bulk OF
the trade was with Pensacola and
other Southern local points. Lumber,
logs, cattle and other interests idsnti-
fed with the growth and prosperity OF
Pulaski and Granger counties were de-
pendent for success upon advantageous
shipping rates. He also handed in q
petition from the merchants OF his
city, pronouncing against the inter
state bill. He had no complaint
sgainst the treatment accorded them
in the past by the railroads.